HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8208.90 – Tools; knives and cutting blades, for machines or mechanical appliances, n.e.c. in heading no. 8208
HS code 8208.90 is the 6-digit subheading for tools, knives and cutting blades, for machines or mechanical appliances, n.e.c. in heading no. 8208. It is used for textile cutting blades, paper guillotine blades, plastic granulator knives, rubber cutting blades and leather splitting knives.
What HS 8208.90 covers
This 'not elsewhere specified' category within heading 8208 serves as a catch-all for knives and cutting blades designed for machines or mechanical appliances that do not fit into the specific classifications for woodworking, food industry, or agricultural applications. This broad scope covers an immense variety of industrial cutting needs, including those in textile manufacturing, paper and printing, plastics processing, rubber production, and recycling. Trade in these highly specialized blades is driven by the diverse and evolving requirements of global manufacturing sectors. Importers and exporters are often countries with advanced industrial bases that require custom or niche cutting solutions for their unique production processes. Key aspects include the specific material properties of the blade (e.g., carbide, ceramic, specialized steel), precision grinding, and design tailored to the exact mechanical function and material being cut.
- Covers
- Textile cutting blades
- Paper guillotine blades
- Plastic granulator knives
- Rubber cutting blades
- Leather splitting knives
- Packaging machine blades
- Recycling shredder blades
- Slitter knives
- Examples
- Kadant paper machine blades
- TKM Group industrial knives
- Spilker rotary cutting tools
- Bosch packaging machine knives
- Shred-Tech shredder blades
Codes often confused with 8208.90
Common mistake. Often confused with 8207 (interchangeable tools) or other specific 8208 subheadings if the primary use is not clearly defined, leading to incorrect classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 820890, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 820890 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $356M 22% of world exports
- 2 China $212M 13% of world exports
- 3 United States $127M 7.8% of world exports
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $216M 12% of world imports
- 2 China $144M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Germany $136M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $1.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 8208.90
Brazil does not split HS 8208.90: its NCM code is 8208.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 82.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8208.90
What is HS code 820890?
HS code 820890 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tools; knives and cutting blades, for machines or mechanical appliances, n.e.c. in heading no. 8208. This 'not elsewhere specified' category within heading 8208 serves as a catch-all for knives and cutting blades designed for machines or mechanical appliances that do not fit into the specific classifications for woodworking, food industry, or agricultural applications. This broad scope covers an immense variety of industrial cutting needs, including those in textile manufacturing, paper and printing, plastics processing, rubber production, and recycling. Trade in these highly specialized blades is driven by the diverse and evolving requirements of global manufacturing sectors. Importers and exporters are often countries with advanced industrial bases that require custom or niche cutting solutions for their unique production processes. Key aspects include the specific material properties of the blade (e.g., carbide, ceramic, specialized steel), precision grinding, and design tailored to the exact mechanical function and material being cut.
What products fall under HS code 820890?
Textile cutting blades, paper guillotine blades, plastic granulator knives, rubber cutting blades, leather splitting knives, packaging machine blades, recycling shredder blades, slitter knives
What are common misclassifications for HS code 820890?
Often confused with 8207 (interchangeable tools) or other specific 8208 subheadings if the primary use is not clearly defined, leading to incorrect classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 820890?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 820890 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($356M, 22% of world exports), China ($212M) and the United States ($127M). World exports came to about $1.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 820890?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 820890 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($216M, 12% of world imports), China ($144M) and Germany ($136M). World imports came to about $1.8B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 820890 structured?
HS code 820890 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (82) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 820890?
In Brazil, HS code 820890 is NCM 8208.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.